When is the last time you heard of a cheaper iPhone rumor? I’m sure not in a long time. Oh, this morning you say? Well here is another one. According to the Wall Street Journal, we could see the oft rumored “cheaper” iPhone later this year. I would take this with your usual helping of salt, though (or a lot, if you’d prefer), as these rumors have been around for quite some time. I don’t quite know why, as the iPhone 4 is currently free on contract and the iPhone 4S only $99. A cheaper iPhone wouldn’t make sense to me, as it probably would not be as good as whatever the “expensive” version of the device is, and wouldn’t that just make it on par with the earlier iPhones? Here is what the source told the WSJ:

While Apple has explored such a device for years, the plan has been progressing and a less expensive version of the flagship device could launch as soon as later this year, one of the people said.

The cheaper phone could resemble the standard iPhone, with a different, less-expensive body, one of the people said.

So, “one of the people” said that the iPhone could be different, but similar. Supposedly the cheaper version would have some sort of a different casing, perhaps made out of some type of polycarbonate plastic. Some are making the claim that this device would be aimed at markets where prepaid contracts rule, and phones are mostly bought full retail. I personally just don’t see this happening, but you can take it however you prefer.

What do you think? Would you like a cheaper iPhone? Are the iPhone 4 and 4S enough to satisfy the lower market, or should this be aimed at people who buy full retail? Let us know in the comments, or tweet me @TiP_Kyle.

About Kyle Frost

Kyle Frost first found his love for technology (and Apple) in the second generation iPod nano. One thing that always draws him back to Apple is its unique and clean designs. Being someone that always has to learn how things work, he took up iOS developing in 2009, a year after Apple opened the platform to 3rd parties. Currently he owns around 10 Apple devices, 4 of which are iOS. Follow him on Twitter @TiP_Kyle

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